Today’s Forest Health Outreach update covers the following:
*Forestry Tip of the Day: Are you Ready for a Wildfire?
*Event: Firewise Landscaping Workshop – May 10 – Ned Area
*Nederland and Allenspark Sort Yards – Now Open
* Volunteer Sort Yard Hosts Needed 

*Forestry Tip of the Day: Are you Ready for a Wildfire?
Forestry Tip of the Day: The first wildfire of the season occurred north of Nederland off of Sugarloaf Rd on Sunday. Fortunately, our local firefighters were able to quick contain the small blaze.  Hats off to our brave men and women who quickly jumped into action. This fire serves as a good reminder to make sure our homes and families are ready for the active fire season. Did you see or smell the smoke? Were you ready? Was your home ready?

Here is a link to a useful wildfire safety tip sheet from the National Fire Prevention Association: www.nfpa.org/safety-information/for-consumers/emergency-preparedness/natural-disasters/wildfires. 

*Event: Firewise Landscaping Workshop – Sat., May 10^th – Ned Area
When: Saturday, May 10, 9 a.m.–12 p.m. at the Gilpin County Community Center, 230 Norton Drive, Black Hawk
What: Half-day workshop focused on Wildfire Mitigation and Firewise Landscaping
Program Description: Defensible-space (D-space) does not mean moonscape: Learn top tips on making your house less likely to burn in a wildfire, while still making it attractive. Sponsored by Boulder County, CSU Extensions, Gilpin County and Timberline Fire.

Workshop Highlights:
• Learn the newest science available on home ignition in fire.
• Lessons learned about why homes burned (and didn’t burn) from Four Mile, High Park, Black Forest, and Waldo Canyon fires.
• Retrofitting older homes.
• Learn about simple spring maintenance tips to better prepare your home for wildfires.
• See attractive examples of d-space incorporating patio design and pathways.
• Learn how to use fire-resistant native and adapted plants to add color and beauty to the mitigated area, and to attract birds to your land.
• Firefighter’s perspective on saving your house.

RSVP’s are appreciated to help with planning, please call 303-582-9106.

*Nederland and Allenspark Sort Yards- Now Open
Both of the sort yards are now open for the season and ready to help you be a great steward of your backyard forest!  Bring us your slash and logs! 
Hours of Operation:

• Meeker/Allenspark Area – Now Open | Closes: Oct. 18
• Nederland Area – Now Open| Closes: Oct. 18
• Both yards are Open Wednesday thru Saturday. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Both yards are closed Sun., Mon., and Tues. and on July 4, 5.

Keep an eye on the weather. We may temporarily close the sort yards if we receive much snow and/or heavy rain.  If snow is in the air, call 303-678-6368 before hauling a load of material, to ensure we are open.

*Volunteer Sort Yard Hosts Needed 

We are still seeking a few more volunteer sort yard hosts in Nederland and Allenspark. Volunteer hosts greet people as they enter the yard, collect user data and provide forestry outreach. Volunteers do not unload slash and logs. We are looking for individuals who can commit 10-15 hours per month, in 4 hour shifts, for at least 12 weeks during the season. Volunteers are most needed on Wednesdays and Saturdays. To apply, contact Shane Milne at 303-678-6089 or smilne@nullbouldercounty.org.

Cheers,
Ryan

Ryan Ludlow | Forestry Education & Outreach Coordinator 
Boulder County | Land Use Department
P.O. Box 471, Boulder CO 80306
O: 720.564.2641 | F: 303.441.4856
rludlow@nullbouldercounty.org | www.bouldercounty.org/ForestHealth
*Please visit our website to join our Forest Health Outreach eNewsletter. Learn about upcoming forestry workshops, wildfire mitigation, bark beetle management tips and more!